Until I figure out this western PP system, I am leaning toward hunting Mule Deer in Nebraska. One major reason is OTC. I received a couple of great PMs from the Eastmans brotherhood, but have a general question. Rifle season in mid November or Muzzleloader in December. Higher hunting pressure in Nov. and more crops to hide in. Is there anyone out there that can put their hand on my shoulder and point me in the right direction? I feel like the hunting world has passed me by and am trying to catch up. You guys have been great! FORD#1
Calling all cornhuskers!
- Thread starter FORD#1
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okielite
Banned
I live here and can tell you that on public land the hunting is not that great during rifle season. Lots of pressure and not a lot of land. The tags are cheap but not unlimited for nr's. Most areas have been cut back in recent years after all the die off.
You also get a lot of residents from the eastern side of the state who will shoot the first forky mule deer they see.
Not trying to discourage you but with easy to get tags, cheap tags, and the fact that you can shoot 2 bucks a year Nebraska is not managing the herd for quality.
There are plenty of better tags out there. Just about any region in Wyoming will offer better opportunities for mule deer IMO.
If you want to hunt Nebraska go bow hunting right before gun season starts. That is the best time of year IMO. The second best would be archery hunting the opener in September. You can get a public access maps on the website and they have a free downloadable app for your phone that includes maps and all kinds of other options.
That being said there are some whoppers out there. I know a outfitter in Hay Springs that kills some whoppers every year.
http://deermeadowsoutfitters.com/
You also get a lot of residents from the eastern side of the state who will shoot the first forky mule deer they see.
Not trying to discourage you but with easy to get tags, cheap tags, and the fact that you can shoot 2 bucks a year Nebraska is not managing the herd for quality.
There are plenty of better tags out there. Just about any region in Wyoming will offer better opportunities for mule deer IMO.
If you want to hunt Nebraska go bow hunting right before gun season starts. That is the best time of year IMO. The second best would be archery hunting the opener in September. You can get a public access maps on the website and they have a free downloadable app for your phone that includes maps and all kinds of other options.
That being said there are some whoppers out there. I know a outfitter in Hay Springs that kills some whoppers every year.
http://deermeadowsoutfitters.com/
PlainsHunter
Active Member
I grew up in Nebraska and lived there for 27 years. The public gets pounded-especially during rifle season. You'd probably have a much better chance of finding a place to hunt during muzzleloader season. Most of the corn is out by mid november unless they have a wet fall.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with the above. Our deer heard, especially the mule deer heard, has not been managed for for trophy quality at all. I've never hunted the public ground, but I've heard it is really crowded. Wish I had a better answer for ya. As far as the crops still being in in November...they can make it tough sometimes, but you can also use them to your advantage.
From the results I have received, Its apparent that Nebraska Mule Deer hunting is on the downside. I am looking at other options at this time, but I do appreciate the 4 responses that I received. The PMs that were sent voted 3 to 1 not to hunt in the cornhusker state. Thank you for your honest evaluation. I am looking at a OTC Montana hunt! Sounds like a crapshoot also. FORD#1
okielite
Banned
Good choice. Montana will give you a much better opportunity.
This has been a strange year to say the least. You rarely see deer out in the mornings and evenings. In a normal year I can go for a drive just before dark and see a few hundred deer on corn/wheat/alfalfa fields. This year I'm lucky to see 5 deer and almost all are WT does. There are still some bucks around but most of the deer are hanging back in the timber as the grass is still really green. Looking forward to things getting back to normal around here.
This has been a strange year to say the least. You rarely see deer out in the mornings and evenings. In a normal year I can go for a drive just before dark and see a few hundred deer on corn/wheat/alfalfa fields. This year I'm lucky to see 5 deer and almost all are WT does. There are still some bucks around but most of the deer are hanging back in the timber as the grass is still really green. Looking forward to things getting back to normal around here.
tdcour
Veteran member
If you are bow hunting, South Dakota has OTC bow tags, but rifle and muzzle you have to draw out. Sounds like the herd is doing much better in SD than NE. We have had good luck up there the past several seasons